Manahatta
You can hop on a flight across the pond for 6 hours, or get yourself down to Manchester’s most talked about new spot, either way, you can get your fix of the Big Apple, because Manahatta has finally launched in Manchester
The brand new venue based on busy Deansgate promises to bring a bite of the NYC to Manchester with food, drink and design inspired by downtown New York and its after-hours party scene.
With a comprehensive food menu, wide selection of drinks & cocktails created by bartender Mark Austin, formerly of The American Bar at The Savoy in London, I was excited to kick off the week by heading down to check out what was on offer.
Of course, by now, you know I’m a big foodie.
‘Manahatta’, which takes its name from the original name for Manhattan, has opened its fourth site following the success of three other thriving venues in Leeds.
The food menu maintains the suave sophistication of the Manahatta brand, with an American-style bottomless brunch, available at weekends and an eclectic array of lunch and dinner options to suit everyone, day to day.
Spaced across two floors of the Royal London House building on the corner of Deansgate and Peter Street, the stylish space mixes original listed features including parquet floors and glazed tiling with new touches such as street art murals, neon signs, colourful leather booths and plush velvet seating and a giant swing.
Manahatta has certainly channeled New York; the interior is trendy industrial, with teal semicircle booths, exposed filament bulbs hanging from the ceiling in clusters, neon lights on the walls and colour-changing lights around the rim of the bar.
I recruited my fellow creatives Domain, Liam & Matt along with me, to tuck into the expansive menu.
Start As We Mean To Go On
After warming up with a few Cuban cocktails (Bacardi 8 year rum, Wray and Nephew rum, camomile and coconut, ginger cordial, lime, honey) we picked our starters and mains, with our waiter, Jack, taking care of our every need and helping us to choose from the many tasty options.
After a short wait, the night kicked off as out came the Halloumi Fries with Chipotle Ketchup and Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with sesame, soy & honey dressing. The showpiece starter went to the bowl of Nachos topped with spicy crisp coated chicken, bourbon BBQ sauce, salsa, sour cream, jalapeños, and Monterey Jack cheese.
That’s just the mouth-watering starters for you, there was more…
After swapping and sharing plates, I was already fully satisfied with just the first course. The portions here are decent and I would have almost been tempted to call it a day after just the first dishes, but the show had to go on, it was time for the mains.
The Mains
Out came a real feast as we dug into a mix of Sizzling Chicken Fajitas, served with sautéed peppers & onions on a hot skillet with warm tortillas, guacamole, sour cream & tomato salsa.
NYC inspired double beef burgers followed with smoked pancetta, American cheese, jalapenos, pickles, mayo, French’s mustard & ketchup, and then a beefy Filet Steak with thick cut fries & Peppercorn sauce.
Once again the portion size was on point and the Fajitas really hit the spot for me, Manahatta shined with it’s mix of flavours. I was stuffed.
Feast Finale
Defeated by the mains? No chance I was stopping there. To round off the night, the final course had my name on it.
I scanned the menu and immediately the Chocolate & Peanut Butter Layered Brownie accompanied with cool vanilla ice cream. caught my eye, I knew I had made the right choice as waiter Jack confirmed it was his favourite recommendation too.
To complete the desserts we also went for a Cherry & Bourbon Brownie, plus two insanely impressive Bubble Waffles, consisting of strawberry ice cream, squirty cream, fresh strawberries, smashed meringue, white chocolate flakes, strawberry sauce all wrapped in golden and crispy waffles.
By now I was nursing the biggest belly in Manchester.
If this hasn’t mad you the slightest bit peckish, then I don’t know what will. Three incredible courses and not a slight bit of room for another bite. Without a doubt, swing by a grab this spot soon and grab something to eat yourself.
If you’re not necessarily in the mood for food, Manahatta is a great bar spot just for drinks too, the venue includes a private room that can be booked for parties, as well as sectioned off spaces and big booths that can be reserved for bigger groups.
The brains behind the operation are Arc Inspirations, the company also owns popular Corn Exchange bar and restaurant Banyan in Manchester and is soon to open another branch in Spinningfields this week too.
Once again thank you for taking the time to check out my site. Keeping checking back for more content even more food.
All pictures by the talented camera wizard Matt Pittman
In Partnership with Manahatta
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